Glu launches publishing unit to port iOS games to Android, Windows Phone

Glu Mobile (NASDAQ:GLUU) is rolling out a new publishing division designed to help third-party developers port hit iOS games to Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone.

Glu Publishing, announced Tuesday in conjunction with the gaming firm's fourth-quarter 2012 financial results, will launch its first four partner titles during the second half of this year, ramping up to one new third-party game per month in 2014. Speaking on Glu's earnings call, CEO Niccolo de Masi said the company will leverage its Beijing, Moscow and Hyderabad, India offices to help developers in emerging nations expand their efforts to the North American market.

"Each development team with a product that has demonstrated a strong kernel of success, be it on a given platform, country or language, we will be able to partner with Glu Publishing to dramatically expand worldwide reach," de Masi said, according to a Seeking Alpha transcript. "Glu has always received a significant volume of inbound publishing requests from developers all over the world. Going forward, we will not only select from these, but also actively seek out partners worldwide who have a track record of success."

Glu reported fourth-quarter revenues of $21 million, up from $15.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Smartphone games (including new releases Death Dome, Contract Killer 2 and Dragon Slayer) yielded 89 percent of revenues, representing an 85 percent year-over-year increase. Operating losses narrowed to $6.7 million compared to $9.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Looking ahead at 2013, Glu plans to release approximately 15 new mobile games, including five in the first quarter: Dragon Storm, Gun Bros 2, Stardom Hollywood, Small City and Samurai vs. Zombies Defense 2. Glu also will expand into the real-money gambling space with the U.K. release of an iOS game inspired by its Samurai vs. Zombies property.

For more:
- read this release
- read this Seeking Alpha transcript

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